Operation of a panel for a printer using a dial control

Abstract

Apparatus(es) and method(s) relating to operation of a multi-function printer panel are disclosed. In such a method, a main menu is displayed on a display screen of the multi-function printer panel. A plurality of primary image items of the main menu displayed on the display screen are navigated responsive to a first movement of a dial control. The dial control is pressed to select a primary image item of the plurality of primary image items. A plurality of secondary image items displayed on the display screen associated with the primary image item selected are navigated responsive to a second movement of the dial control. The dial control is pressed to select a secondary image item of the plurality of secondary image items.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for operation of a multi-function printer panel, comprising:
 displaying a main menu on a display screen of the multi-function printer panel; 
 navigating a plurality of primary image items of the main menu displayed on the display screen responsive to a first movement of a dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select a primary image item of the plurality of primary image items; 
 navigating a plurality of secondary image items displayed on the display screen associated with the primary image item selected responsive to a second movement of the dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select a secondary image item of the plurality of secondary image items; 
 navigating to a height arrow image displayed on the display screen; 
 pressing the dial control to select the height arrow image; 
 shifting the dial control up or down to adjust a y-axis boundary; 
 navigating to a width arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select the width arrow; and 
 shifting the dial control right or left to adjust an x-axis boundary. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting use of the dial control of the multi-function printer panel over buttons of the multi-function printer panel; and 
 pressing the dial control to display the main menu on the display screen. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising shifting the dial control in a first direction to return to the main menu or in a second direction different from the first direction to select a sub-menu screen image for display on the display screen associated with the secondary image item selected. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first movement and the second movement of the dial control respectively includes a first and a second rotational movement of a circular knob. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the dial control includes a joystick interface knob for the circular knob. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dial control includes a click wheel. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the first movement and the second movement of the dial control respectively include a first and a second sliding movement along a surface of the click wheel. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the primary image item is a scan image item; and 
 the secondary image item is a zoom item. 
 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 navigating to a zoom arrow image displayed on the display screen; 
 pressing the dial control to select the zoom arrow image displayed; and 
 rotating the dial control in a first or a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to zoom in or out, respectively. 
 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising
 navigating to a zoom arrow image displayed on the display screen; 
 pressing the dial control to select the zoom arrow image displayed; and 
 shifting the dial control in a first or a second direction opposite the first direction to zoom in or out, respectively. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the navigating to the zoom arrow image includes rotating a knob of the dial control. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the navigating to the zoom arrow images includes sensing a tactile sliding movement along a surface of a click wheel. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the primary image item is a scan image item; and 
 the secondary image item is a scan size item. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising displaying on the display screen a predefined list of scan area sizes for selection responsive to size of a document on a platen of a multi-function printer having the multi-function printer panel. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising auto-determining scan boundaries of a document on a platen relative to platen dimensions for a multi-function printer having the multi-function printer panel. 
     
     
       16. A multi-function printer, comprising:
 a multi-function printer panel having a display screen and a dial control; 
 the display screen configured to display a main menu responsive to pressing a dial control of the multi-function printer panel; 
 the dial control configured for navigating a plurality of primary image items of the main menu displayed on the display screen responsive to a first movement of the dial control; 
 the dial control configured for selecting a primary image item of the plurality of primary image items responsive to a depressing down of the dial control; 
 the dial control configured for navigating a plurality of secondary image items displayed on the display screen associated with the primary image item selected responsive to a second movement with respect to the dial control; and 
 the dial control configured for: selecting a secondary image item of the plurality of secondary image items responsive to a pressing down on the dial control; 
 navigating to a height arrow image displayed on the display screen; 
 pressing the dial control to select the height arrow image; 
 shifting the dial control up or down to adjust a y-axis boundary; 
 navigating to a width arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select the width arrow; and 
 shifting the dial control right or left to adjust an x-axis boundary. 
 
     
     
       17. The multi-function printer according to  claim 16 , wherein the dial control is configured with a knob for the first and the second movement respectively being a first and a second rotational movement of the knob. 
     
     
       18. A method for operation of a multi-function printer panel, comprising:
 displaying a main menu on a display screen of the multi-function printer panel; 
 navigating a plurality of primary image items of the main menu displayed on the display screen responsive to a first movement of a dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select a primary image item of the plurality of primary image items; 
 navigating a plurality of secondary image items displayed on the display screen associated with the primary image item selected responsive to a second movement of the dial control; 
 pressing the dial control to select a secondary image item of the plurality of secondary image items; 
 wherein the primary image item is a scan image item; 
 wherein the secondary image item is a scan area image item; 
 navigating to a y-axis arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 selecting the y-axis arrow image by pressing the dial control; 
 adjusting a y-axis position by shifting the dial control up or down to move a vertical scan boundary; 
 navigating to an x-axis arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 selecting the x-axis arrow image by pressing the dial control; and 
 adjusting an x-axis position by shifting the dial control left or right to move a horizontal scan boundary. 
 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the y-axis arrow image is a right y-axis arrow image; 
 the x-axis arrow image is a right x-axis arrow image; 
 the y-axis position is a right y-axis position; 
 the x-axis position is a right x-axis position; and 
 the method further comprising:
 navigating to a left y-axis arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 selecting the left y-axis arrow image by pressing the dial control; 
 adjusting a left y-axis position by shifting the dial control up or down; 
 navigating to a left x-axis arrow image displayed on the display screen by rotating the dial control; 
 selecting the left x-axis arrow image by pressing the dial control; and 
 adjusting a left x-axis position by shifting the dial control left or right.